Micron samples first 128Gb TLC NAND flash memory chip

Micron announced it has developed the world's first 128Gb TLC NAND flash memory chip using a 20nm process. The new chip should be more cost-effective and with a surface area of 146mm² it's 25 percent smaller than Micron's same-capacity 20nm MLC chip. No details about how this will impact performance, but Micron says the chip is primarily intended for cost-competitive flash cards and USB sticks.

Measuring 146mm², the new 128Gb TLC device is more than 25 percent smaller than the same capacity of Micron's 20nm multi-level-cell (MLC) NAND device. The 128Gb TLC device is targeted at the cost-competitive removable storage market (flash cards and USB drives), which is projected to consume 35 percent of total NAND gigabytes in calendar 2013. Micron is now sampling the 128Gb TLC NAND device with select customers; it will be in production in calendar Q2.

"This is the industry's smallest, highest-capacity NAND flash memory device—empowering a new class of consumer storage applications," said Glen Hawk, vice president of Micron's NAND Solutions Group. "Every day we learn of new and innovative use cases for flash storage, underpinning the excitement and opportunity for Micron. We are committed to enriching our portfolio of leading Flash storage solutions that serve our broad customer base."

Micron is presenting a paper on the 128Gb TLC NAND device at the upcoming International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) on Feb. 19 at 3:15 p.m. PST, in San Francisco, California.